A few years ago, my brother told me that he and his wife had organized something called Project Prom for all four of their children. They even organized Project Prom one year when they didn’t have a child going to prom. They love organizing things that keep teens safe; they feel passionate about making sure that teens have something fun to do after prom, something that does involve staying up all night but does not involve drugs or alcohol. They even created a how-to binder that explained every aspect of the project and how they put it all together.

My brother offered me the binder, but I lacked the time to take on a task that takes all year to plan, especially when it is something that has not been done here before.

We don’t have anything like Project Prom in St. Tammany Parish; but thankfully, we do have Project Graduation and people like Tom Seeger, one of the many volunteers putting together Covington High’s Project Graduation.

Seeger is helping to organize an April 27 golf tournament that will raise money for the big night, which will take place May 11 at the National Guard Armory in Covington.

“Project Graduation is a huge party given for seniors on the night after their graduation,” Seeger said in an email to me. “It began 20 years ago. Its purpose was and continues to be to provide a safe alcohol- and drug-free post-graduation party for graduates to reduce the number of traffic fatalities associated with what should be a night of celebration for the future.”

Seeger’s dedication to the cause comes from a painful memory.

“When I graduated in 1974 (from Carrollton Presbyterian in New Orleans), a classmate was killed the night before, due to drinking and driving,” he said. “It could have been me or someone else I loved. That was someone‘s precious child whose empty seat on stage was a very emotional reminder for the rest of us.”

With that emotional memory as incentive, Seeger has helped with the Covington High Project Graduation for six years. “I started a year before my son went to CHS. He graduated last year. My daughter is in 10th grade.

“With so few young-adult affordable entertainment opportunities on the north shore, I feel that it is critical to provide a safe place for senior classes to meet and party for the last time as a class. Some of our volunteers are still working five to 10 years after their children graduated. They beleive in this cause.”

Project Graduation events always draw a big crowd, Seeger said, and include good food, age-appropriate hands-on activities, a disc jockey, videographer and more than $10,000 worth of prizes.

“It is perhaps one of the best things we can do for our students, their families, and indeed the whole community,” he said.

And speaking of the whole community, Seeger added, it would be great if local individuals and businesses would support the golf tournament, which will help pay for Project Graduation.

The tournament will take place at Abita Springs Golf and Country Club. The cost is $100 per player and includes all golf fees, beverages, lunch and a steak dinner.

Registration/check-in for the scramble tournament begins at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. Hole sponsorships are also available for $100.

For more information, contact Seeger at 892.6954 or send an email to seegertom@yahoo.com.

It’s a lot of work, organizing a fundraiser to help pay for another event, which is also a lot of work. But it’s all for a great cause; it’s all for our kids.